Arnaques + 1330
Santé, sécurité & aide

Arnaques — le guide de terrain pour étrangers

18 arnaques vérifiées issues des signalements de la communauté des voyageurs en Corée. Chacune avec les signaux d'alerte repérables en 5 secondes, la phrase en coréen à utiliser, les preuves à capturer et où signaler pour vraiment obtenir réparation.

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Tourist Scam Alerts — Hotspot Field Guide

The current taxi, exchange, and nightlife scams by district — and the exact counter-move.

As of 2026-06-13 · 🔄 Weekly · ⭐ 4.7 (421 utilisateurs)

D’abord — enregistrez ces numéros maintenant

  • KakaoMap or Naver Map your routeFor every taxi: pre-set destination + view estimated time. Driver sees you have it; takes the right road.
  • Use Kakao T app (not street hail) when possibleFixed-rate options + driver rating + GPS-tracked. Even foreigners with cash-only Kakao T setup get most protections.
  • Eat where Koreans eatNo English menu out front = local-priced + authentic. Tourist-saturated streets often have parallel "Korean menu" cheaper.
  • Refuse "free" anything from strangersReal Korean monks / nuns / fortune-tellers don't solicit on the street. "Free" anything from a stranger = pull-in.
  • Get receipt from EVERYTHINGWithout a receipt, recovery is hard. Even ₩2,000 convenience purchases auto-print.
  • Check exchange rate before walking inBank of Korea base rate ± 1% = legit. ± 5% = padded. Use Wise / Revolut to compare.
  • 1330 saved to favorites NOWBefore any incident. Korean-English bilingual support 24/7.
  • Don't carry > ₩100,000 cashLower exposure. ATMs accept most foreign cards — withdraw as needed.

18 arnaques — filtrer·trier·rechercher

Le détail de chaque arnaque (signaux d'alerte·phrases·preuves) est en anglais.

18 résultats

"Free art exhibition" → high-pressure painting sale

🖼 Gallery / "art"
☆☆☆ High

A "student" / "Buddhist monk" offers a free gallery tour. You're shown traditional paintings → quoted ₩300k–₩2M for "blessed" or "donation" works. Aggressive social pressure to commit.

Where you'll see it:
  • • Insadong main street
  • • Bukchon side alleys
Red flags:
  • ⚠ Approached on the street by someone offering free entry
  • ⚠ "Donation" language
  • ⚠ Wood-tapping fortune-teller variant
In the moment
Polite "No thank you," walk away. Do NOT enter even just to look. Once inside, social pressure makes it harder to refuse.
Capture before walking away:
  • 📸 Photo of the storefront if you wish to report

Report to: 1330 + report to the Insadong Tourist Information Center (across from Insadong main entrance).

Typical loss: ₩300,000–2,000,000

Secondary-market K-pop tickets — counterfeit

💻 Online / ticketing
☆☆☆ High

Stranger offers a sold-out concert ticket below face. Pays via Wise. Receives PDF — ticket doesn't scan at the door, seller blocks you.

Where you'll see it:
  • • Twitter / Bluesky DMs
  • • Telegram K-pop trade channels
  • • Generic ticket-resale sites
Red flags:
  • ⚠ Below-face price
  • ⚠ Account < 3 months old
  • ⚠ PDF "preview" but won't share original purchaser proof
In the moment
Don't pay. Use only verified Interpark Global / Klook / KKday / Trazy bundles. See /kpop-ticketing.
Capture before walking away:
  • 📸 Screenshots of the entire DM thread

Report to: Local police in your country (Wise scams traceable) + 1330 if Korean seller.

Typical loss: ₩100,000–1,000,000

Taxi driver refuses to start the meter

🚕 Taxi
☆☆ Medium

Driver quotes a flat fare ("60,000 won OK?") and refuses to flip the meter. Final fare ends up 2–4× metered rate. Common after midnight + at airport sidewalks.

Where you'll see it:
  • • Myeongdong
  • • Gangnam (after midnight)
  • • Itaewon outside clubs
  • • Incheon T1 international taxi pirates
Red flags:
  • ⚠ No meter visible on dash
  • ⚠ Driver insists "no meter — fixed price"
  • ⚠ Black/white car with "International Taxi" sticker but driver wears no ID badge
In the moment
Say firmly: "미터기 켜주세요 (mi-teo-gi kyeo-ju-se-yo) — Please use the meter." If refused, exit immediately. Don't argue.
Capture before walking away:
  • 📸 Photo of taxi plate (front + back)
  • 📸 Photo of driver ID card on dash
  • 📸 Note time + start/end locations

Report to: Call 1330 immediately or 02-120 (Seoul Hotline). Provide the plate number — penalties (fines, license suspension) are issued by the city/district transport office that licensed the driver, and 120 routes the complaint there.

Typical loss: ₩20,000–100,000

Fake "International Taxi" at airport curb

🚕 Taxi
☆☆ Medium

Unmarked sedan driver waits at the international-arrivals door, says "international taxi this way" and leads you past the official orange/yellow taxi line. Charges ~50% above official meter.

Where you'll see it:
  • • ICN T1/T2 arrival exits
  • • Gimpo airport sidewalks
Red flags:
  • ⚠ Approached BEFORE you reach the marked taxi queue
  • ⚠ Driver speaks slightly-rehearsed English
  • ⚠ No KAB orange-frame "Official Airport Taxi" sticker
In the moment
Walk away. Use only the orange-frame "International Taxi" or the regulated taxi queue. Look for the staff in yellow vests directing the line.
Capture before walking away:
  • 📸 Photo of vehicle from a safe distance

Report to: 1330 + Incheon Airport call center 1577-2600 (from a foreign number: +82-2-1577-2600).

Typical loss: ₩30,000–80,000

Two menus — "tourist" prices vs Korean prices

🍽 Restaurant
☆☆ Medium

Restaurant shows you an English menu with higher prices than the Korean menu posted at the door. Common at "tourist-targeting" restaurants — not at chain BBQ or Korean-locals favorites.

Where you'll see it:
  • • Myeongdong tourist alleys
  • • Hongdae main strip
  • • Insadong
Red flags:
  • ⚠ English menu price > street-front Korean price
  • ⚠ No Korean menu visible inside
  • ⚠ Tout outside pulling you in
In the moment
Ask to see the Korean menu: "한국어 메뉴 보여주세요 (hangugeo menu boyeo-ju-se-yo)." Compare. If different prices, leave.
Capture before walking away:
  • 📸 Photo of both menus side-by-side

Report to: 1330 + leave a negative review on Naver Place (Korean fans will support).

Typical loss: ₩10,000–50,000

"Buddhist monk" wants a donation for a blessing

🎭 Street hustle
☆☆ Medium

A figure in monk robes places a card / wristband in your hand and asks for a "blessing donation" ₩10–50k. Real Korean monks do NOT solicit on the street.

Where you'll see it:
  • • Insadong
  • • Gyeongbokgung area
  • • Jongno-3-ga underground
Red flags:
  • ⚠ Wristband placed in hand without asking
  • ⚠ Pushy follow-up if you walk away
In the moment
Return the item. Real monks don't fundraise this way.
Capture before walking away:
  • 📸 Photo of the figure from a safe distance

Report to: 1330 + 112 (police).

Typical loss: ₩10,000–50,000

Fortune-teller "you have bad luck" upsell

🎭 Street hustle
☆☆ Medium

Approaches with a "free" reading → "you have bad luck → only my charm will fix it" → ₩50–200k for a "lucky charm."

Where you'll see it:
  • • Hongdae main strip
  • • Itaewon nighttime
Red flags:
  • ⚠ Approached unsolicited
  • ⚠ Heavy emphasis on a curse / bad luck
  • ⚠ Premium charm price quoted
In the moment
Walk away. Don't engage. Korean fortune-tellers have shops; they don't hunt foreigners on the street.
Capture before walking away:
  • 📸 Walk away — no photo needed

Report to: 1330 if persistent or aggressive.

Typical loss: ₩50,000–200,000

Itaewon nighttime "card game" hustle

🎭 Street hustle
☆☆ Medium

Card or shell game played on the street — bystanders + dealer are confederates. Foreigners win once → lose progressively higher bets.

Where you'll see it:
  • • Itaewon back alleys after 02:00
  • • Hongdae alleys
Red flags:
  • ⚠ Game set up on a folding table
  • ⚠ Crowd "winning" while you watch
  • ⚠ Pressure to "give it a try"
In the moment
Keep walking. Never engage. This is theft theater.
Capture before walking away:
  • 📸 None — leave

Report to: 1330 + 112.

Typical loss: ₩100,000–1,000,000

"Date" steers you to inflated-bill bar

💔 Romance
☆☆ Medium

Match (often Tinder/Bumble) you to a bar of their choosing. The bar charges 5–10× normal — drinks ₩100k+. You + match split bill that match never intended to pay.

Where you'll see it:
  • • Itaewon nightclub vicinity
  • • Hongdae bars after midnight
Red flags:
  • ⚠ Match insists on a SPECIFIC bar
  • ⚠ Bar has no menu prices visible
  • ⚠ Match disappears before bill
In the moment
Suggest a chain café first. Refuse bars without visible menu prices. Pay only your own drinks.
Capture before walking away:
  • 📸 Match's profile screenshot + bar receipt

Report to: 1330 + 112.

Typical loss: ₩100,000–500,000

Hanbok / car rental "damage" surprise

📦 Rental
☆☆ Medium

Returning the rental, the staff finds "damage" not previously noted. ₩50–300k surcharge demanded.

Where you'll see it:
  • • Some Bukchon/Gyeongbokgung hanbok shops
  • • Lower-tier rental cars
Red flags:
  • ⚠ No pre-rental inspection photos by the staff
  • ⚠ Damage logged AFTER you leave the shop
In the moment
BEFORE renting: photograph every angle with timestamps. Ask staff to sign + initial the photos.
Capture before walking away:
  • 📸 Pre-rental photos with timestamps

Report to: 1330 + Korea Consumer Agency (1372).

Typical loss: ₩50,000–300,000

Resold tour-package with no operator confirmation

🚌 Tour resell
☆☆ Medium

Street promoter sells "discount" DMZ tour for cash. On the day, no shuttle arrives — name not in operator's manifest.

Where you'll see it:
  • • DMZ / Nami tour curb-side promoters in Hongdae
Red flags:
  • ⚠ Cash-only
  • ⚠ No confirmation email
  • ⚠ Operator name vague
In the moment
Book only through Klook/KKday/Trazy/Koridoor. Refuse street-sold tours.
Capture before walking away:
  • 📸 Voucher (likely fake)
  • 📸 Photo of the promoter

Report to: 1330 + Korea Tour Operators Association.

Typical loss: ₩40,000–200,000

Taxi takes the long way around

🚕 Taxi
☆ Low

Driver detours via expressway (extra toll) or scenic loop. Add ₩5–15k to the legit fare. Subtle — easy to miss without a map.

Where you'll see it:
  • • Anywhere in Seoul if you look confused
Red flags:
  • ⚠ Your KakaoMap route estimates 25 min, meter runs 45 min
  • ⚠ Tolls on receipt when route shouldn't have toll
In the moment
Show your phone with the KakaoMap or Naver Map route. Say: "이 길로 가주세요 (i gil-lo ga-ju-se-yo) — Please take this way."
Capture before walking away:
  • 📸 Screenshot of route taken (via Kakao T history) vs expected

Report to: 1330. Bring the fare difference to Korea Taxi Association if egregious.

Typical loss: ₩5,000–25,000

Banchan (side dishes) marked as extras

🍽 Restaurant
☆ Low

Side dishes (banchan) are normally free + refillable in real Korean restaurants. Some tourist spots list them as ₩3–5k each on the bill.

Where you'll see it:
  • • Tourist-targeted Korean restaurants in Myeongdong / Insadong
Red flags:
  • ⚠ Server brings 7+ sides without asking
  • ⚠ Bill includes line items "small dish ₩3,000 × 5"
In the moment
At a real Korean restaurant, banchan are 무료 (mu-ryo, free). Ask before sitting: "반찬 무료에요? (ban-chan mu-ryo-e-yo?)"
Capture before walking away:
  • 📸 Photo of itemized bill
  • 📸 Photo of the side dishes received

Report to: 1330 + Naver review.

Typical loss: ₩10,000–30,000

Service charge added — but Korea doesn't tip

🍽 Restaurant
☆ Low

A "service charge" 10% is added on the bill. In Korea this is normally illegal at restaurants (hotels at most legitimate).

Where you'll see it:
  • • Some Itaewon expat-facing restaurants
  • • Hotel bars
Red flags:
  • ⚠ Bill has "service charge" line
  • ⚠ No prior notice on the menu
In the moment
Politely ask why. If unjustified, refuse to pay the service portion. Restaurants normally cave.
Capture before walking away:
  • 📸 Photo of the printed menu (no service-charge mention) + photo of the bill

Report to: 1330 + Naver review.

Typical loss: ₩3,000–15,000

Exchange booth advertises great rate, charges high fee

💵 Exchange / cash
☆ Low

Whiteboard shows 1,400 KRW/USD but on the receipt you're charged 4–8% "commission" hidden in the printed rate.

Where you'll see it:
  • • Myeongdong informal booths
  • • Dongdaemun late-night booths
Red flags:
  • ⚠ No printed receipt offered
  • ⚠ Hand-written rate, machine refuses receipt
  • ⚠ Rate near unrealistic mid-market
In the moment
Always ask: "Show me the actual rate I'll receive after all fees." Walk if vague.
Capture before walking away:
  • 📸 Photo of the advertised rate + photo of the receipt

Report to: 1330 + Bank of Korea consumer protection.

Typical loss: ₩10,000–50,000

Counterfeit ₩50,000 received as change

💵 Exchange / cash
☆ Low

You pay a large bill (₩100k), get ₩50k change that's counterfeit. Real Korean bills have a hologram strip + watermark visible against light.

Where you'll see it:
  • • Tourist-area exchange booths
  • • Rural taxi drivers (rare)
Red flags:
  • ⚠ Bill feels wrong texture (too smooth)
  • ⚠ Watermark missing / weak
In the moment
At point of change: hold up to light immediately. If suspect, refuse + ask for redo.
Capture before walking away:
  • 📸 Keep the suspect bill, photograph it.

Report to: 1330 + 112. Bank of Korea verifies.

Typical loss: ₩50,000

Naver "blogger collab" pay-for-coverage scam

💻 Online / ticketing
☆ Low

Korean "agency" offers your blog a free hotel + tour. After arrival: hidden fees for "promotion management" + your "agreed" sponsorship.

Where you'll see it:
  • • Email outreach to foreign travel bloggers
Red flags:
  • ⚠ Unsolicited from a Gmail address (not corporate domain)
  • ⚠ Vague itinerary
  • ⚠ No upfront contract
In the moment
Ignore the email. Do not reply. Real KTO / brand outreach uses corporate domains and includes a written brief upfront.
Capture before walking away:
  • 📸 Email screenshots

Report to: Korea Internet Communication Industry Association + KTO 1330.

Typical loss: ₩200,000–500,000

Day-tour adds mandatory shopping stops

🚌 Tour resell
☆ Low

Listed as "5 stops"; on the day, 3 of 5 are shopping stops for ginseng / amethyst / cosmetics. 2 hours wasted, no refund.

Where you'll see it:
  • • Cheaper Nami / DMZ packages
Red flags:
  • ⚠ Tour < $50 USD when comparable is $80+
  • ⚠ No "no shopping stop" guarantee in description
In the moment
Refuse to enter the shop. Wait on the bus.
Capture before walking away:
  • 📸 Original listing screenshot + actual itinerary

Report to: 1330 + Klook/KKday review (they refund partial).

Si vous vous êtes fait avoir — procédure de signalement en 5 étapes

  1. 1
    Capture evidence immediately
    Photos, video, receipts, screenshots. Time-stamped if possible (use phone). Don't confront — capture first.
  2. 2
    Call 1330 from your phone
    Press language → English/JP/ZH. KTO operator triages and connects to police/refund/Korean-side as needed.
  3. 3
    File police report at any 지구대 (precinct)
    For high-value losses or crimes. Bring your evidence. They issue a case number ("사건번호") used for travel insurance.
  4. 4
    Visit Tourist Complaint Center (online)
    touristcomplaint.or.kr — KTO's official complaints portal. Required for refunds from licensed operators (taxis, tours).
  5. 5
    Notify your travel insurance
    Send case number + receipts within 7 days. Most policies cover ≥ 50% of theft / fraud.
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À voir aussi

UrgencePayer par carte ?Acheter des billets K-popTour DMZ